Research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that a widely prescribed high blood pressure medication may help stimulate energy-burning brown fat tissue in the body.
Key Takeaways
- An NIH-supported study suggests the blood pressure medication losartan increases the metabolic activity of brown fat tissue.
- Unlike energy-storing white fat, brown fat burns through energy to produce heat and is linked to cardiometabolic benefits.
- Analysis of large patient datasets showed higher brown fat activity was associated with improved heart health as well as lower rates of anxiety and depression.
- Laboratory tests indicated that losartan affects brown fat through a molecular pathway separate from its blood-pressure-lowering action.
What the Source Says
In a study supported by the NIH's National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), researchers evaluated medical records and PET/CT imaging from over 100,000 patients. Using artificial intelligence tools, a research team from Rockefeller University and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center observed that patients taking angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)—the class of medications that includes losartan—showed higher levels of brown fat activity.
The research suggests that increased brown fat activity relates to improved cardiometabolic health, with tissue located in the armpit region demonstrating the strongest association. The researchers also identified new connections between higher brown fat presence and lower occurrences of anxiety and depression.
To further understand this connection, scientists tested losartan on brown fat cells and healthy mice. The drug directly boosted metabolic factors, including oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and energy expenditure, while mouse body weight remained stable. Importantly, researchers discovered that losartan activates brown fat through a molecular pathway distinct from the mechanism that lowers blood pressure. Scientists suggest this distinction could potentially help guide future therapies to stimulate brown fat in individuals with normal blood pressure.
Practical Notes
While these findings highlight promising new directions for studying human metabolism, specific treatment protocols and human clinical guidelines are Not specified in the source; please check the official notice. This research is based on retrospective patient data, cell cultures, and animal models rather than prospective human clinical trials. You should always talk to your doctor before making any changes to your prescription medications or health routines.
Source: NIH News Releases · Published October 15, 2026 · Photo by Nappy on Unsplash
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before making health decisions.